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45 years or older? Colon cancer screening should be your next goal.1

If you’re at average risk for colon cancer—you need to screen now. Even if you don’t have symptoms.2,3

45 years or older? Colon cancer screening should be your next goal.1

If you’re at average risk for colon cancer—you need to screen now. Even if you don’t have symptoms.2,3

Mother and daughter smile as they embrace while sitting in front of a house.

Colon cancer is not
just a “man’s disease.”

Colon cancer is the third most commonly occurring cancer in both men and women.4
A man, whose face shows confidence, crosses his arms as he leans on his workbench.

Some people are more
at risk than others.

Statistically, Black Americans are more likely to develop colon cancer than any other group. And American Indians, Alaska Natives, Black and Hispanic Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with colon cancer at later stages. This is partly due to differences in access to screening and healthcare.5
Two men smile and hug their father after playing soccer.

The risk of colon cancer increases with age.6

Even if you’ve already been tested, be sure to screen in the future. Fact is, screening regularly may increase the potential for finding and treating colon cancer.1
Joyful parents give an affectionate hug to their son.

If you’re not at high risk for colon cancer, you are at average risk. And people at average risk still need to get screened. People are at average risk if they do not have7:

  • A personal history of colon cancer or certain types of polyps
  • A family history of colon cancer
  • A personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease)
  • A confirmed or suspected hereditary colon cancer syndrome, such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer or HNPCC)
  • A personal history of getting radiation to the abdomen (belly) or pelvic area to treat a prior cancer

Take action—talk to your doctor about screening for colon cancer.

Know your options
References: 1. Centers for Disease Control. What can I do to reduce my risk of colorectal cancer? Updated February 23, 2023. Accessed January 25, 2024. 2. Wolf AMD, Fontham ETH, Church TR, et al. Colorectal cancer screening for average-risk adults: 2018 guidelines update from the American Cancer Society. CA Cancer J Clin. 2018;68(4):250-281. 3. PDQ® Cancer Genetics Editorial Board. PDQ Genetics of Colorectal Cancer. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal/hp/colorectal-genetics-pdq. Accessed May 29, 2024. [PMID: 26389505] 4. ACS. Colorectal cancer facts and figures 2023-2025. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2023. 5. Jackson CS, Oman M, Vega KJ. Health disparities in colorectal cancer among racial and ethnic minorities in the United States. J Gastrointest Oncol. 2016;(Suppl 1):S32-S43. 6. ACS. Colorectal cancer causes, risk factors, and prevention. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2020. 7. ACS. Colorectal cancer early detection, diagnosis and staging. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2024.